Solar panels will be installed on the roof of the Cape Quarter and will supply approximately R350 000 worth of electricity per year offering a 10% yield growing at a minimum of 8% although it is expected that this will increase given Eskom's predicted high tariff increases.
Tower Property Fund, which listed in July 2013 on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange under the new REIT structure, has set a clear strategy of occupancy cost reduction across the board for all the buildings within the fund's portfolio, with a strong focus on "greening" underpinning the fund.
The Cape Quarter has also undergone lighting and other retrofits which will save the centre an impressiveR1 million per annum in energy costs for the property.
"Recent global research has shown that green buildings outperform normal buildings significantly - on average achieving rental premiums of 6%, capital value improvement of 12%, while reducing operating costs by 30%," explains Marc Edwards, CEO of the Tower Property Fund. "As the funds flagship building we will be rolling out this solar retrofit at Cape Quarter first, but this will soon be followed by similar initiatives at all suitable buildings within the portfolio."
